End-flap-folding mechanism for envelope-making machines



Nov. 13, E923. 1,473,693

A. E. AUGUSTINE vEND FLAP FOLDING MECHANISM FOR ENVELOPE MAKING MACHINES Filed July 20, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 13,1923. 1,47 ,6 3

A. E. AUGUSTINE END FLAP FOLDING MECHANISM FOR- ENVELOPE MAKING MACHINES Filed July 20. 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gil Patented Nov. l3, i923.

STATES ADDISON E. AUGUSTINE, OF HACKENSACK,

CHINE CO., INC, 01 NEW? YORK, N.

NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO CHESTER 'MA- Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

END-FLAP-YEOLDING MECHANISM FOR ENVELOPE-MAKING MACHINES.

Application filed. July 20,

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that l, AnnIsoN E. AUGUS- rnvn, residing at l'lackensack, in the county of Bergen and State New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in End-Flap-Folding Mechanism for Envelope-lvlaking Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an envelope-makmachine, and particularly to means for insuring the Jroper folding over of the open end flaps of envelopes during the drying operation.

In the operation of envelope-making mahines, such for instance, as are described in y pending application Serial No. 360,966, filed Feb. 9rd, 1920, which machines are adjusted for the making of envelopes in which the open flap occurs at one side. edge rather than at the bottom edge of the envelope as the envelope falls into the drying chain, it is a matter of considerable importance that the open flap be so folded as to be properly caught between the leaves of the chain as the leaves close together after the falling of the envelope. Where the open flap occurs at the bottom edge of the envelope, it is properly folded by the closing of the chain leaves but there appears to be no satisfactory way of causing the closing movement of the chain l aves to insure proper folding of open flaps occurring at the ends of the envelopes. In the making of end flap envelopes, such, for instance, as the so called coin envelopes and the like. it is desirable that an auxiliary mechanism be provided to fold over the end to a suiiicient extent so that the closing leaves of the chain will engage and properly hold the flap during the passage of the envelope with the chain around the drying frame.

The essential objectof the present invention, therefore, is to provide such an auxiliary mechanism, and to so design the same that it will be simple in construction and efficient in operation.

A further object is to provide for ample adjustment of the mechanism so that it may be readily made to perform its oi'iice upon envelopes of various sizes.

A further object is to provide means whereby the parts are made readily removto t 'litate the making of repairs, etc.

ilther objects and aims of the invention,

more or less specific than those referred to 1920. Serial No. 337,756.

above, will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the course of the following description of the elements, combinations, arrangements of parts and applications of principles, constituting the invention, and the scope of protection contemplated will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as a part of this specification, and in which I have shown merely a pre ferred form of embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken thru a portion of an envelope-making machine illustrating the present invention ap plied thereto in association with the drying chain thereof.

Figure 2 is a partial front elevational view of the mechanism seen in Fig. 1, portions being shown in vertical section for the better disclosure of details.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the folding mechanism appearing in the previous views, said view diagrammatically illustrating the operation of the folding mechanism upon the envelopes, and

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view illus trating the folding rod carrying arm.

The means herein proposed for accomplishing the objects above set forth comprises a plunger rod L which mounted to be operated by a cam G for moving its folding rod H to properly fold the envelope-flaps.

A trap discharge device 1 of the envelopemachine is arran ed to discharge the newly gummed andfolded envelopes downwardly into the spaces, as 2, occurring between the 3 of the carrying chain. An envelope, as 4:, is illustrated in Fig. 2 as having just been received from the trap 1 into one of the spaces 2.

A main drive shaft 5 is shown for driving the chain 6. This shaft has a small sprocket 7 formed, or otherwise provided thereon, about which the links of the chain move so, that in rounding the shaft the tins one of which is carried by each link of the chain, spread apart, as seen particularly in Fig. 1 of the drawings, to provide the spaces 2 for receiving the envelopes from the trap. Suitable means, such, for instance, as the ratchet 8, is provided preferably for rotating the shaft with a step by step movement so that the chain is made to travel in the direction as indicated by the arrows Fig. 1.

The envelopes, falling from the trap 1, fall into the spaces and are carried with the: chain downwardly along the upper lead for a desirable distance and thence backwardly along the lower lead, an appropriate roller, not illustrated, being located at the lower end of the chain for guiding the chain.

Any suitable means may b provided for delivering, or ejecting, the envelopes from the upper end of the lower lead of the chain. F or this purpose what is familiarly known as a gripper device 9 is employed comprising one or more arms carried by a rock shaft 7 10, said arms having spring finger devices 11 at their outer ends adapted to grip and hold the envelopes while th arms swing forwardly, as, indicated by the arrow 12, to deposit the envelopes in a suitable discharge mechanism.

During the travel of the envelopes from the trap 1 into the space 2, they are guided by a pair of guide plates 13 and 14. As the envelopes move downwardly along the upper lead of the chain their weight rests upon the links of the chain and suitable guide rods 15 and 16' are provided at opposite sides of the chain for preventing endwise displacement of the envelopes.

The guide plates 13 and 1 1 are adjustably supported so that they can be readily moved toward and away from each other for properly accommodating envelopes of different widths. For the purpose of this adjustment the guide plates are each provided with supporting rods 17 which are adjustably received within suitable apertures formed in a supporting standard 18 of the frame work of the machine. The guide rods 15 and 16 are likewise adjustably supported by means of supporting rods 19 which engage the standards 18.

l i hile the drawings, Fig. 2, illustrate only the adjustable supporting means for the guide plate and rod 14 and 16, yet it will be understood that these elements are du plicated with respect to the guide plate and rod 13 and 15.

The plunger L is mounted to slide freely within a tubular bearing member 20 which is carried by a frame piece 21 of the ma chine. Preferably the bearing member is formed with a threaded extension 22 which is fitted into a threaded aperture formed in the frame piece 21 so that the bearing memher is rendered easily removable. By this means the bearing member and the parts carried thereby may be readily removed whenever occasion requires.

The plunger is preferably made of two sizes so as to provide a shoulder 23 thereon within the bearing member so that a compression spring 24, arranged within the bearing member and engaging between the shoulder 23 and an opposing shoulder 25 formed upon the bearing member may be eifective in normally retaining the plunger in its outer position. An anti-friction roller 26 provided at the outer end of the plunger for engaging against the face of the cam G- and the contour of the cam is such that it provides plurality of extending portions 27 for successively engaging the roller 26 to force the plunger inwardly during the rotation of the cam.

The folding. rod H is arranged at the inner end of the plunger rod. It is connected with the folding rod carrying arm 28 which is in turn attached to the inner end of the plunger rod. Any suitable means may be ci'iiployed for adjnstably connecting the folding rod with its carrying arm but preferably the carrying arm is simply provided with an aperture 29 thru which the folding rod extends. Two clamp nuts, as 30 and 31, are threaded upon the folding rod for clamping against opposite sides of the carrying arm to hold the folding rod in any posit-ion of longitudinal adjustment to which it may b moved with respect to the carryin arm. The extreme end portion as 32, of the folding arm may in this way be made to occupy a position at any desired and appropriate distance beyond the face of the carrying arm.

The carrying arm may b connected with the plunger rod IJ in any appropriate manner but preferably is connected by being formed with a slot 33 longitudinally thereof thru which a reduced extension 34 of the plunger rod projects. A shoulder portion provided upon the plunger rod by the formation of the extension 3 1 furnishes a proper surface against which the carrying arm may be clamped by means of a clamp device. as for instance the nut 36 threaded upon the extension 84, to hold'the carrying arm. in any position. to which it is moved with respect to the plunger rod. By these devices the folding rod is made readily adjustable toward and away from the axial lin of th plunger rod and to any selected radial position relative to the plunger'rod.

By the simple means of adjustment thus afforded. the end portion 32 of the folding rod is made universally adjustable so that it can be made to stand and function in any position desired by the operator for properly performing the act of folding down the envelope flaps, as 37.

It may be noted also that by the removal of the nut 36 the folding rod and its carryarm may be entirely detached from the plunger rod. Either a folding rod or carrying arm, or both, of a different size,

maybe then substituted, or the removed cas on may demand.

The provision for universal adjustment lf-l part cularly essential since obviously the precise position of the folding rod must be parts may be repaired and returned, as ooconstruction without cepartin with practically every change at the machine making different sized envelopes.

The guide plate ll is suitably cut-a\' 'av to provide for ample adjustme: oldin rod while the guide plate '13 serves to positively prevent endwise movement of the envelope during the operation oi the folding rod.

The cam i is mounted directly upon the to revolve therewith. The

drive shaft a raised portions 27 of the cam are properly spaced ape so that one occurs for ope-ratthe plunger coincident with the passage of each of the succeeding fins 3 o l the chain. iince both the cam and the sprocket 7 are rigid upon the shaft- 5, it is apparent that the rotation of the sprocket for forming the envelope receiving spaces 2, and the rota tion of the cam for operating the plunger, may be maintained correctly timed so that the movements of the folding rod will occur coincident with the formation of the envelope receiving spaces.

The can'i Gr may, i1 desired, be connected with the shaft 5'so as to be rotatably adjustable the eon to the end that the timing of the operation may be altered to suit varying requirements. For this purpose the cam may be loose upon the shaft and may be pro vided with sleeve 38 thru which extends a set screw 89 by which to hold the cam in any position of adjustment to which it may 'be moved.

One or more bearings, as 40, may be pro- 1 vioed for rotatabiy supporting the shaft 5.

To hold the plunger rod L against rotation within the bearing 20, said rod is herein indicated as being provided with small radially projecting pin 41 which slides within a longitudinally extending groove 42 interiorly of the hearing.

The flap folding mechanism thus described at once simple in construction and positwo a d efficient in its operation. Its ad- 1i ustments may be readily and easily mace so that it will properly fold the end flaps of uvelopcs of different sizes, and its construction and manner of? attachment are such that it may be easily removed from the machine whenever desired.

The timing of the folding operation may be altered to suit requirements by simply rotating the cam G moreor less about the Q it ll herever in the claims the timing of the folding operation is referred to, such reference is meant Iner v to defin a strucire in which the fold ing over of the enve ope flap is: accomplished. in proper relation to the movements of the envelope carrier so that the flap is folded in time to be correctly h ld by the carrier.

As manv char gos could be maoe in this i 4 tron; the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be in 1' gretcd as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. in an envelope-making machine, the combination with a movable carrier for receivi the newly gummed envelopes, means to move said carrier, and means for delive ing envelopes into said carrier, or means movable to fold the end flaps of the cove loose as the envelopes are delivered into said carrier, and means positively connected with the carrier operating means for effecting operation of the flap folding means coincident with the movements of the carrier.

2: an envelope-making machine, the combination with a movable carrier for receiving the newly gumined envelopes, means to move said carrier, and means for deli en ing envelopes into said carrier, of flap toldfor folding the end flaps or the envelopes as the envelopes are delivered into said carrier, said flap foldingans comprising a plunger rod, an element urging the plunger rod out of flap folding position, and a cam positively connected vith said carrier operating means for effecting mo ement of said plunger rod into folding position coir.- c-idcnt with the movements or the carrier.

In an envelopeanalring machine. the con'abination with a movable carrier for receiving the newly gummed envelopes, means to move said carrier, and means for deliver ing; the envelo 38S into said carrier, of flap folding means for folding the end flaps o the envelopes as the envelopes are delivered into said carrier, said flap toldii means comprising a plunger rod. a flap Folding rod, a carrying arm upon which said tolding rod is mounted, means ad istably con necting said carrying arn'i with saidplunger rod providing adjustment of the 'lmldlll rod either toward or away from the plunger rod, and means positively connected with the carrier operating means for cil'ecting operation of the flap folding means coincident with the movements of the carrier.

4. In an envelope making machine. the combination with a movable carrier for receiving the newly gummed envelopes means to move said carrier, and means for delivering envelopes into said carrier, 0'? flap foldi g means for folding the end flaps o? the on slopes as the envelopes are delivered into sa d. carrier, said flap lioldinp; means comor]. g a plunger rod, a folding rod, one end operating means for effecting operation of the flap folding means coincident with the movements of the 'arrier. V

5. In an envelopeanaking machine, the combination with a movable carrier for receiving the newly gummed envelopes, means to move said carrier, and means for delivering the envelopes into said carrier, of flap foldin means for folding the end flaps of the envelopes as the envelopes are delivered into said carrier, said flap, folding means comprising a plunger rod, 21 part carried at one end of said plunger rod for engaging the envelope, a cam positively connected with said carrier operating means engaging the opposite end of the plunger for operating the plunger coincident with the operations of the carrier, a support, and a bearing for said plunger detachably connected with said support for the purpose set forth.

6. In an envelope-making machine, the combination with a movable carrier for receiving the newly gummed envelopes, means to move said carrier, and means for delivering the envelopes into said carrier, of flap folding means for folding the end flaps of the envelopes as the envelopes are delivered into said carrier, said flap folding means comprising a plunger rod, a cam positively connected with said carrier operating means engaging one end of the plunger rod for operating the plunger rod coincident with the operations of the carrier, an envelope-flap engaging part connected with the plunger rod at the opposite end thereof, and means connecting said envelope-flap engaging part with said plunger rod of a character rendering the envelopeflap engaging part both universally adjustable with respect to, and bodily detachable therefrom.

7. In an envelope making machine, the combination with a movable carrier for receiving the newly gumm d. envelopes, means to move said carrier, and means for delivering envelopes into said carrier, of flap folding means for folding the end flaps of the envelopes as the envelopes are delivered into said carrier, said flap folding means comprising a plunger rod, a cam positively connected with said carrier operating means engaging one end of the plunger rod for operating the plunger rod coincident with the operations of the carrier, an arm arranged at the opposite end of the plunger rod projecting laterally therefrom, means connecting said arm with said plunger affording adjustment of said arm to project a greater or less distance radially from said plunger, and a flap folding rod carried at the outer end of said arm.

8. In an envelope-making machine, the combination with a movable carrier for receiving the newly .gummed envelopes,

means to move said carrier, and means for delivering envelopes into said carrier, of

flap folding means for folding thcend'tlaps of the envelopes as the envelopes are delivered into said carrier, said flap folding means comprising a plunger rod, a cam nositively connected with said carrier'operating means engaging one end of the plunger rod for operating the plunger rod coincident with the operations of the carrier, an arm arranged at the opposite end of the plunger rod projecting laterally therefrom, said arm having an opening therethruat its outer end, a flap folding rod longitudinally adjustable vithin said opening, said rod being sub stantially parallel with said plunger, and means to retain said rod in any selected position of longitudinal adjustment within said opening.

9. In an envelope-making machine, the combination with a movable carrier for receiving the newly gummed e velopes, means to move said carrier, and means for delivering envelopes into said carrier, of flap folding means for folding the end flaps of the envelopes as the envelopes are delivered into said carrier, said flap folding means comprising a plunger rod, a cam positively connected with said carrier operating means engaging "one end of the plunger rod for operating the plunger rod coincident with the operations of the carrier, an arm arranged at the opposite end of the plunger rod projet-ting laterally therefrom, means connecting saidarm with the plunger rod of a character rendering the arm capable of movement to extend in any selected direction radially of the plunger rod, said connecting means also being of a character to enable adjustment of said arm to project a greater or less distance radially from the plunger rod, means to hold said arm in any position to which it may be adjusted, and flap folding means carried at the outer end of said arm.

10. In an envelope-making machine, the combination with a movable carrier for receiving the newly gummed envelopes, means to move saidr carrier, and means for delivering envelopes into said carrier, of flap folding means for folding the end flaps of the envelopes a the envelopes are delivered into said carrier, said flap folding means comprising a plunger rod, a cam positively connected with said carrier operating means engaging one end of the plunger rod for operating the plunger rod coincident with the operations of the carrier, an arm arranged at the opposite end of the plunger rod projecting laterally therefrom, means connecting said arm with the plunger rod of a character rendering the arm capable of movement to extend in any selected direction radially of the plunger rod, said eonnectingimeans also being of a character to enable adjustment of said arm to project a greater or less distance radially from the plunger rod, means to hold said arm in any position to which it may be adjusted, flap folding means carried by the outer end of said arm, and means whereby said flap folding means is rendered adjustable in a direction longitudinally of said plunger rod.

11. In an envelope-making machine, the combination with means for vgunnning and forming the envelope but leaving one flap of the envelope in a partially folded condition, and receiving means for the newly formed envelopes, of means operable to further fold said mentioned flap prior to receipt of the envelope by said receiving means.

12. In an envelopemaking machine, the combination with means for gumming and forming the envelope but leaving one flap of the envelope in a relatively open condition, receiving means for the newly formed envelopes, and means whereby the newly formed envelopes will be delivered from said forming means to said receiving means, of means arranged to engage the envelope as it is received by said receiving means and to partially fold said mentioned flap.

In testimony whereof I my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ADDISON AUGUSTINE.

Witnesses:

L. Gnnsronn HANDEL, S. J. AUMILLER. 

